Another Oil Leak question....
 

Hi guys! Pretty new owner to my 1986 560SL and new timer on an older car. Also, don't know a whole lot about cars. This should be fun you all say. Ok, I noticed when I first bought the car, 7 months ago, that I had a small oil stain on my driveway. So took it in where it had last had an oil change (just an oil change place) and he said it had 3 oil leaks. He pointed them out to me but then again, what do I know as far as what really needs to be taken care of. He quoted me about $1500. Then got a cpl of other opinions on the phone and was told, "old German cars leak and it is normal and if it is not a lot then I am okay." Now I am noticing more oil in the pans I have laid under the car in the garage. It is not losing oil that I can tell and I do check the oil level and it is normal. Also, the car was parked last night in my driveway for 3 hrs and there was a stain. I am getting my oil changes on a regular basis. Any idea where the leak could be coming from? I do know it is the front drivers side. Does that help? And do I dare ask about costs?

Thank you all.

MARLA

Go here and find someone in your area. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/forumdisplay.php?f=14

Thank you airedale. I will take it into a shop but wanted to be a little prepared in knowing what it could possibly be. I have experieced a few shops here wanting to take advantage of me. Thank you again.

Hi there,
If it's on the driver's side it might just be the power steering pump or gear, or a leaky hose. My '79 450SL had a slight leak from the shaft seal on the pump, which allowed the oil to leak out from the shaft onto the pulley and then was thrown around pretty much the whole front of the engine. It was fairly easy and fast to change, a couple hours was all it took. So, the question is: are you checking your power steering fluid religiously, and is it going down??
A few drops from the valve covers seem to be very common on these engines, and indicate that the cover gaskets have hardened and need replaced.
Hope these ideas help!:)
PS - the pwr steering shaft seal was around $7.00.

Richard: Great advice. Thank you very much! I will check the power steering fluid tomorrow since I have not been checking it. Have been used to newer cars. This is great. I am learning. I will also see if I can look at the valve cover gaskets. Hopefully, it will just be a simple resolution. Thank you again. By the way, I am loving my car! Hope you are enjoying yours as well.

MARLA

I'v had 2 leeks on my 88, and 1 on my 86.

Head gasket (Thought it was a rear main seal but no) Expensive if you have to pay someone to do it.

Power Stearing return hose

Power Stearing pitman shaft (Still leaking on my 86)

John Roncallo

"He pointed them out to me ..."
Didn't you see what was he pointing at?

Go for the low-hanging (and inexpensive) fruit first; replace the valve cover gaskets, torque the covers down correctly and use new crush washers. This cured 90% of my leak problems.

Can you give us some more details about your oil leak. Check both feel and color of the oil.

1) Is it like the stuff on the engine oil dipstick

2) Is it like the stuff on your transmission fluid dipstick

3) Is it like the stuff in your power stearing fluid reservoir

Als give use the location of the drips. How far forward or aft of the front wheels. And how far off center and to which side (drivers or passenger side)

John Roncallo